Re: Lathe, electrical question

Thanks for the ideas guys. I am not electrical sharp so I would need help making the VFD. I am not sure what VFD stands for, V must be variable. Is F for phase? And D for device?

I had heard that a phase converter was a pain so did not want to go that route.

An older fellow about a half mile from me has a 12" craftsman (Atlas) with a lot of tooling, and also a Bridgeport, in his basement. He will not part with the lathe or Bridgeport real soon. I would like a little heaver lathe and that is where the three phase would come in. I am not sure what powers the Bridgeport. Need to make a little room in my garage first.

A phase converter is easy to make...don"t need capacitors. Use a small single phase (1/2 or 1hp) to spin a three phase motor until it"s running, then shut off the small motor. google "home made phase converters" for ideas and wiring plans. I don"t understand where the pain comes in.

Years ago I had heard of phase converters, did not understand them so I did not want one. I can wire 110 or 220 single phase things. We had an electrician at work we called two wire. That might be where I fit in, two wires and a ground. Looks like a VFD might be the way to go.

Guys were not reffering to making the VFD , but the {what I call ] the fake phase generator. Meaning having another old 3 ph motor laying around to start with. You need a start / stop a capacitor a small maybe 12X 12 puull box. A starter etc. Many intructions online how to wire . A VFD not so much . That you just buy and can run several machines.

VFD = Variable frequency Drive. Not something that the average person could build at home.

It"s an electronic box that converts single to three phase. Protects against overloads. Allows soft starts. Instant easy reversing. variable speed. Torque control. VFD"s are getting cheaper and better every day. Anybody promoting a rotary converter is a dinosour living 20+ years ago in the past.

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